There may be no one more excited about the start of high school football season in the Upper Cumberland than Noah Potter.
The talented junior quarterback at Stone Memorial High School, who transferred last spring from Bearden High School, has been waiting for this day for such a long time. When he gets under center tonight for the Panthers in their game with visiting Cookeville, there could be a rush of emotion.
“I tore my MCL [medial cruciate ligament] at Bearden last year and missed most of the season,” said Potter, the son of Margaret and Josh Potter. “I didn’t get back from that until last December. It’s been a long process, but I feel like I am completely back now, and better than ever.”
Stone Memorial and Cookeville, annually a Class 6A powerhouse, are scheduled to kickoff today at 7 p.m. The Panthers stunned the Cavaliers 25-20 on the road in 2023, the first win over Cookeville in Stone’s program history.
Potter is no stranger to the area. His family has always lived in Crossville, and he transferred to Bearden from Cumberland County High School his freshman year.
“Transferring to Stone was really just a chance to come back home to be with my family and friends,” Potter said. “A lot of my best friends go to Stone, and I really love [Stone Memorial] coach [Derik] Samber and the coaching staff.
“The coaches really took me in when I got to Stone. They made me feel welcome, and I felt like I was home. That was important to me.”
Potter was able to work out this summer with the Panthers, holding some makeshift 7-on-7 competitions with his receiving corps and his backfield. Much of the summer was also spent in the locker room watching film and working with Samber on the playbook.
“We’ve been working very hard all summer,” Potter said. “I have worked a lot on footwork and mechanics this summer.”
And the work seems to be paying off. After sitting out a year, Potter said he’s now feeling more and more comfortable every day.
“I think I can read defenses pretty well, but I also trust all my guys – the receivers, the running backs and the guys on the line,” Potter said. “The offense looks good right now, and I think we will be ready to run the ball or throw it.”
Potter said he’s proud of the way his offense has been developing. Players like tailback Maddox Oquendo and receiver Kadyn Page have really raised their games, making the overall unit just that much better.
“Our chemistry is looking good, and we’ve got a bunch of receivers and running backs that will go out and make plays this year,” Potter said.
And the chemistry between Potter and Samber is working out well, too.
“Coach and me have a great relationship,” Potter said. “After I moved back, he helped me around the school with classes. We learned the playbook together; he’s helped me so much with my game. He is a great coach.”
Potter said he can’t wait to compete against what he called “likely the toughest district in all of Class 4A.” The schedule will include battles against Upperman, Macon County, DeKalb County – just to name a few.
“We’re ready to compete with all of them,” Potter said. “We are very young, especially at the skill positions. So, we’re going to have to do the little things right. That is most important.”
And when he takes his first snap tonight against Cookeville, will Potter be nervous?
“I am not really nervous, just excited,” the young QB said. “We’ve been working hard, we have a good game plan. I am going to be ready.”